General Considerations

• benign tumor arising from basal cells of the epidermis, hair follicles, or sweat or sebaceous glands
• basal cell carcinomas may be induced by ultraviolet radiation
• basal cell carcinomas account for 4%-12% of canine skin tumors
• mean age 6-9 years
• breed predisposition: Cocker Spaniel
• sites: head, neck, and shoulders
• gross appearance: solitary, well-circumscribed, freely movable, and pigmented, solid, or cystic ± ulcerated in cats
• metastasis is rare but local tumor recurrence after incomplete excision is possible
• treatment: surgery or cryosurgery (if < 1 cm)
• prognosis: excellent

BASAL CELL CARCINOMA